West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this original southern California owner and completely rust free 1965 Buick Riviera with the highly desirable 'Gran Sport' Performance Group with its original matching #'S 425/360HP 2 x 4V (LX Code) V8 Super Wildcat engine and with original automatic transmission and loaded with original Gran Sport options of dual exhausts, performance gearing and factory options of bucket seats, center console with floor shifter, air conditioning, power driver seat (Cost $74), power brakes, power windows (Cost $110), power antenna, tilt steering wheel and it's original AM/FM 'Sonomatic' Buick radio (cost $268)!
We purchased the car from it's original family owner in 2018 and although the original paint was in very fair condition and not cracking or checking due to the fact the car had always been garaged and covered in southern California we had the car professionally stripped of all its guttering, brightwork and chrome for it's first ever repaint. The car was then block sanded and repainted in two stage basecoat/clearcoat in it's original factory 'Seafoam Green' color paint with it's brightwork all cleaned and polished and the chrome being re-chromed before being reinstalled along with all new weatherstripping after painting. The car still boasts it's all original factory 'Green' (Code 620) interior, carpets and bucket seats with center console and floor shifter, with only the headliner and sun visors having been replaced in correct original spec material. The car's original styled steel wheels were re-chromed with new caps and centers and mounted on 4 brand new correct original Whitewall Bias Polyglass 15" Radial tires.
Purchased by original southern California owner on 12/15/1965 with original owner's manual and rare and highly desirable Protecto-plate still available and to be included in the sale of the car which has obviously always been garaged since new! The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously a garaged and cherished southern California driver only.
The car looks extremely impressive with a very professional re-paint it's original factory and very striking 'Seafoam Green' color paint and the matching all original 'Green' vinyl seats and carpets interior is in exceptional and mostly completely original condition throughout apart from the replaced headliner and with virtually no significant imperfections noticeable anywhere! The dashboard woodwork, the dashboard itself, the carpets and all the seats are in absolutely exceptional condition with virtually no signs of significant wear and tear! All the chrome-work was re-chromed at the time of the car's repaint and the trunk was correctly reupholstered and the original spare wheel and jack is located in it's rightful place in the trunk. There are significant small details still intact on the car also such as the car still boasting its original and very rare Gran Sport 'Acorn' chrome air cleaner nut!
The original matching # 425cid/360HP 2 x 4 barrel 'LX' code engine is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day sports car a run for it's money! The car has power windows, power driver seat, air conditioning, dual exhausts and it's original 'Buick' AM/FM radio with a power antenna. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears, there are no noticeable oil leaks and the temperature always remains cool! We had the car recently serviced and tuned and installed new brakes. All the power options work as they should including all 4 windows and the power drivers seat although please note that the power antenna works slowly and the air conditioning is the original R12 system and is not working. The engine was reportedly resealed in 1999 under the original ownership with new pistons and hardened valve seats installed in order to run on premium unleaded fuel. Owned since new by only one original southern California owner until we recently purchased the car - never left ungaraged and never abused - babied all the way!
A car for Buick's most affluent customers, the 1963-65 Buick Riviera reflected the styling supremo of Bill Mitchell with a masterful blend of curves and razor-edges respected by an army of industrial designers as an architectural landmark of the U.S industry and which has high repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance for a luxury coupe. "One of the most beautiful cars America ever built" as stated by none other than Sergio Pininfarina of Ferrari design fame at it's debut at the Paris auto show in 1963. This landmark design of 1963-64 would continue for only two years until 1964 before the hidden headlight change in 1965.
But it wasn't until the arrival of the 1965 Gran Sport that the truly sporty side of this sports car revealed itself. The 'GS' had the gorgeous looks of the Riviera combined with the heart of a true muscle car! Unlike other Buick's, including the youth orientated Wildcat, the Riviera GS came with just one engine and transmission combination. Powering the GS was a potent 425 cid V8 with a 10.25:1 compression ratio. The engine produced 360 HP at 4400 rpm and 465 lbs ft of torque at 200 rpm. It put out .84 hp per c.i., very close to the legendary 1:1 ratio of Chrysler 300's and Corvettes. Hooked up to the 425 was the latest GM three speed Hydra-Matic which in 1965 'Car & Driver' called "without question, the best automatic transmission in the world!"
The Riviera GS had dual four barrel Carter AFB carbs, a dual exhaust system with large diameter pipes and bright metal engine accents including a large chrome plated air cleaner with polished ribbed valve covers! Full wheel covers and Gran Sport lettering below the Riviera script on the deck lid and front fenders helped set the car apart visually. A true Grand Tourer, the GS had a top speed of 123mph and 'Car & Driver' reported a 7.2 second 0-60 time and an even better quarter mile run. In muscle car fashion the GS package also included a heavier front anti-roll bar than the standard Riviera, stiffer shock absorbers, stiffer springs at all four wheels, stiffer bushings in the rear suspension and a higher capacity exhaust system with a beautiful sounding V8 rumble.
This, therefore, is one very rare and highly desirable and collectible original southern California example of one of the outstanding GM designs of the sixties with the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport being the most desirable of the 1963-65 Riviera series and the top-of-the-line Buick for its year! 1965 was the only year with the concealed ribbed 'Clamshell Headlights' and a restyled rear bumper with inserted tail lights and offered for the first time on a Rivera for $91.38, the popular chrome Buick road wheels with painted charcoal inserts first introduced on the '64 Wildcat. Contributing to the cleaner look was the removal of the non-functioning side scoops. The 1965 model also enjoys high repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines and super smooth and fast performance for a luxury coupe and with this model's very rare and highly desirable options of bucket seats, center console with a floor shifter, power windows, power driver seat and air conditioning, this is indeed one extremely desirable example of a 1965 Buick Riviera with the rare Gran Sport option with the Super Wildcat 425/360HP engine!
In summary, this is one absolutely exceptional and virtually all original apart from one repaint in it's original factory color and turn-key ready to enjoy today example of an original southern California owner's always garaged and rust and accident free example of this increasingly desirable and collectible 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport with the powerful 425/360HP V8 engine! A sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties car collector or simply any Buick enthusiast!
